California Governor Newsom's Sparse Calendars Raise Questions About Work Ethic

Newly released calendars from California Governor Gavin Newsom show he listed no official business on 18 taxpayer-funded workdays in the first four months of the year, raising concerns about how the Democratic governor spends his time. The records, obtained by the New York Post after a legal battle, reveal that roughly one in four weekdays during that period was marked as 'no official business.'

Newsom, who earns nearly $246,000 annually as governor, also logged 53 vague entries simply labeled 'work time,' with no details on what those hours involved. For example, on February 6, his only scheduled activity was a block of 'work time' from 2:00 to 5:20 p.m.

This lack of transparency stands in sharp contrast to several other states, including Iowa, which routinely publish their governors' official schedules online. Iowa residents can access Governor Kim Reynolds' daily calendar through the state website, a practice Newsom has resisted.

What do the calendars show about Newsom's work habits?

The calendars, covering January through April, depict a typical workday of roughly seven hours, often starting after 9 a.m. and ending before 5 p.m. Newsom's office defended the records, claiming they are an incomplete accounting of his activities.

'Like many people's calendars, the governor's calendar is not a complete record of what the governor has done, or with whom he has met,' said Diana Crofts-Pelayo, a Newsom spokesperson. 'The term 'no official business' doesn't mean he wasn't working; it just means he had no pre-scheduled events or meetings.'

Critics argue the sparse schedule suggests a lack of focus on governing. Corrin Rankin, chairwoman of the California Republican Party, said Newsom 'seems to treat the governor's office like a part-time gig, spending his limited time pushing failed policies.'

How does Newsom spend his time instead?

The records show Newsom dedicating significant time to national media appearances and a book tour for his memoir, 'A Young Man in a Hurry,' widely seen as a prelude to a potential 2028 presidential run. He spent over 19 hours rehearsing his final State of the State speech, which lasted just over an hour and received tepid reviews.

Newsom also devoted time to interviews with Vogue, Bloomberg, and Marie Claire, while Capitol reporters received less access. One 20-minute prep meeting and 80-minute interview with Vogue led to a profile that opened by calling him 'embarrassingly handsome.'

International travel also consumed his schedule, including meetings with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and former British Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy. On March 19, his calendar ran from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. for a California Hall of Fame ceremony and after-party.

What about transparency compared to Iowa?

Unlike Newsom, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds' official schedule is publicly available online, a practice also followed in Virginia and Utah. Newsom's office has resisted releasing a fuller accounting, citing exemptions for deliberative process, personal security, and attorney-client privilege.

The Post counted 17 entries where subject, attendees, or other identifying information had been blacked out. The administration argued that releasing more details would be an 'intrusion into the deliberative process.'

Newsom's office maintains that the calendars are not a complete record and that 'no official business' does not mean he was not working. However, the sparse records raise questions about accountability and the use of taxpayer-funded time.

For Iowans, the contrast is clear: while Governor Reynolds' schedule is open to public scrutiny, Newsom's remains largely hidden, requiring legal action to obtain even limited records.